Long before Chez Panisse and the Gourmet Ghetto, there was Oscar’s

Big flames on the grill at Oscar’s in Berkeley. Oscar’s has been “Blazin’ in Berkeley since 1950”

Oscar’s1890 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94709 (510) 849-2164

When most people think of the food scene in Berkeley they immediately think of Alice Waters and her iconic Chez Panisse restaurant. Since its inception in 1971, Chez Panisse has inspired the food culture around the world and has brought many similar type restaurants to Berkeley’s so-called “Gourmet Ghetto” – a cultural melting pot of fine foods. But, long before Alice Waters moved into the neighborhood, a small hot dog stand sat on the corner of Shattuck and Hearst called Oscar’s. After sixty years in business, the family owned Oscar’s is still going strong.

From the outside, Oscar’s looks like it is stuck in a 1960’s time warp – in a cool kitschy kind of way. Back in the day, this must have been one of the coolest places on the block. Today, it shows its age. The modest sized dining room is filled with several wood grain laminate tables and the walls are mostly bare with the exception of a few Cal Berkeley team jerseys and vintage photographs of the original Oscar’s. Thanks to large windows, the place gets plenty of natural light and offers views of the never ending cast of Berkeley characters that stream by. A giant sign is posted on the exhaust vent directed me to place my order at the grill.

Photo by The Hamblogger

Retro style, Oscar’s hasn’t changed in years.

The menu is pretty basic, burgers (beef, veggie and turkey) or chicken sandwiches along with fries and shakes. I went with the basic cheeseburger ($4.35), no onions. Before I could blink, the cook had dropped a preformed patty on the seasoned grill that looks like it has been there for decades. At first I thought it was an actual wood charcoal grill but upon closer inspection I realized that it was gas heated lava rocks. Just as well.

After a few minutes of sizzling, the cook gave the patty a flip, allowing the grease from the thin patty stoked the fire, sending a burst of flame up toward the ceiling. While I was mesmerized by the flames, I noticed another distraction – lotto. Yes, not only can you get a burger here, but you can also play lotto, including “Hot Spot” that draws live every four minutes. That money you saved on the burger can now be gambled away.